Alstroemeria named Erica

ABSTRACT

This plant is particularly characterized by its dwarf habit which makes the plant eminently suitable for cultivation as a potted plant. In addition, the plant bears several flowering stalks which carry large attractive flowers, which are predominantly of a pink coloration. The attractive flowers and desirable growth habit of this new plant provides a novel addition to the range of Alstroemerias.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This new variety of Alstroemeria originated as a seedling resulting from crossing two plants growing among a collection of breeding stock maintained in a greenhouse in Encinitas, Calif. The seedling was selected for further propagation and testing because of the dwarf characteristic of the whole plant, and the attractive color of the many large flowers contained in several inflorescences as the plant bloomed in a pot. The select plant was propagated in Salt Lake City, Utah by division of the rhizomatous rootstock and through tissue culture. The distinguishing characteristics of the new plant hold true in successive vegetative generations and appear to be firmly fixed. Propagation work is currently being carried out in Salt Lake City using tissue culture methods.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new variety of Alstroemeria plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawing in full color showing a blooming umbel of the plant with buds and flowers in different stages of flower development. The color renditions are believed to be as close to the specified color as is possible to obtain by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new alstroemeria variety with color designations according to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. The observations were made on plants grown in a greenhouse in Utah County, Utah, during the summer.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling (73-CP2-63G).

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Breeding stock plant No. CP2.

Pollen parent.--Breeding stock plant No. 63G.

Classification: Alstroemeria hybrid.

Form: Compact, erect bush with a slightly spreading habit having several flower stalks bearing branches with simple umbel arrangement at the tops.

Height: About 50 cm.

Growth: Upright, strong and vigorous.

Rootstock: Rhizomatous, the rhizomes bear numerous buds which give rise to vegetative and reproductive shoots throughout the growth period. Rhizomes also produce roots some of which become tuberous.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Medium with 34 to 38 leaves per stem.

Leaf size.--10 to 12 cm.

Leaf shape.--Elliptical.

Texture.--Waxy.

Color.--Upper surface -- Dark green, Lower surface -- Dark green.

THE BUD

Form: Pear-shaped. The six petals are perianth and there is no calyx.

Size: Large.

Diameter.--2.0 cm.

Length.--2.8 cm.

Length of peduncle: 1.8 to 2.0 cm.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Continuous and freely flowering throughout the season.

Flower size: Large.

Diameter.--About 5.5 to 7.0 cm.

Length.--About 7.0 cm.

Shape: Generally funnel-like.

Borne: Singly.

Petalage:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--Two concentric circles of three.

Form.--Outer petals, Obcordate, Inner petals -- Elliptical.

Texture.--Smooth.

Appearance.--Satiny.

Color.--Outer Petals: The general color is red-purple, 63D, with a darker patch, 63B, in the middle of the upper half. In the middle of the upper margin is a small green protruberance, subtended by a small white area. The reverse surface is red-purple, 63C, with a darker central patch in the middle of the upper half. Three green veins originate from the protruberance on the upper margin and extend one quarter the length of the petal. Inner petals: Upper; The distal portion is red-purple, 64C. In the center is a yellow spot, 5A. The base is red-purple, 65C. The entire surface is covered with various greyed-purple streaks, 187A. The distal portion of the reverse surface is red-purple, 64C. There is a green-yellow spot, 1B, in the middle. The basal portion is red purple, 65C. The streaks on the other surface are visible through the petal. Lower; The distal portion is red purple, 64C. In the middle of the petal is a patch of faint yellow, 2D. The base is red-purple 65C. Greyed-purple streaks, 187A, are present. The distal part of the reverse surface is red-purple, 64D. The base is red-purple 65C. The streaks on the other surface are visible through the petal.

Persistence: The flowers hang and dry.

Lasting quality: On the plant, 14-18 days.

Main stem or stalk:

Length.--50 to 60 cm.

Color.--Light green.

Character.--Strong and upright.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--One opposite each petal.

Anthers.--Size: 8.0 mm. Color: Beige.

Filaments.--Length: About 4.5 cm. Color: Pink.

Pollen.--Color: Grey.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Style.--Length: About 5.4 cm. Color: Light pink.

Stigma.--Color: Pink.

Fruit:

Shape.--Capsular.

Color.--Light Brown at maturity. 

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinctive Alstroemeria hybrid, substantially as shown and described herein, characterized by a dwarf habit and large, pink colored flowers which are borne in attractive inflorescences on relatively dwarf flower stalks. 